KnownCarProblems2000 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 952 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Explorer, most often about the wheels and tires (24% of complaints, typically around 67,000 miles). It is 11th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2000 Ford Explorer problems
Wheels and tires
227 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall, rim, temporary/emergency spare tire.
2000 Ford Explorer xlt,4dr, 4x2, 112" wheel base, 4.0l sohc v6 engine, 5 speed automatic o/d transmission, VIN [VIN]; p235/75r15 105s dunlop rover at owl tires.,
Consumer left front tire blewout and shredded causing consumer to replace tire with spare. The tire blewout prior to the consumer receiving the recall notice. The air bag light and door ajar light illuminated. Left side wheel bearing shot and the right side was going bad. Rear brakes shot.
Transmission
133 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
The vehicle increased in speed with out warning, the dealer stated there was a recall issued regarding the problem, however the consumer's vehicle identification number was not included.
On the evening of june 7, 2004, as I was driving on 85s, my car began shaking violently. As I was trying to get out of the way of the traffic, there was a huge boom from my vehicle and the car stopped. Initially, all of the service people around thought that it was my transmission that fell out. I had the car towed to…
Speed control
113 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, cables, accelerator pedal, linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that Ford does not have the parts to repair his vehicle for NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). There had been no failure to date. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 84,635.
My 2000 Ford Explorer xlt caught on fire for no apparent reason. My daughter and I were at a friend's house, we were in the process of backing out of the drive when smoke started coming from under the hood. I pulled the car off to the side of the road and put it in park and turned off the engine, the smoke got much…
Engine
99 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
On 20 mar 2005 while driving my 2000 Ford Explorer the check engine light came on. I pulled to the side to check the problems, everything seemed normal except it was idling rough. I called the dealer the next day to bring it in. I brought it to the Ford dealer on 21 mar 2005. I was told that afternoon, that it was the…
: the contact stated the engine rattled and the vehicle needed the engine bolts tightened to resolve the issue. The vehicle had been to a private mechanic but not a service dealer.
Electrical
78 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, starter assembly, instrument cluster/panel.
Dt: the contact states there is NHTSA recall campaign 00v072000 concerning the electrical system. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. Updated 1/11/2006 - the windshield wipers stopped working during a snow storm. The dealer installed a new gem…
I am deeply disgusted with your service. I had filed a complaint online and on the phone about the vehicle I have specified on this online system. This was done back in 2011 and followed through with the manufacture and the ca state dept. Of investigations with dmv. I had also sent the 20 page or so complaint directly…
Brakes
64 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist, brake fluid low warning.
The right front brake disc corroded and cracked causing my front brakes to lock up. I had to replace both front brake dics rotors and brake pads and overhaul the right front brake caliper.
Consumer left front tire blewout and shredded causing consumer to replace tire with spare. The tire blewout prior to the consumer receiving the recall notice. The air bag light and door ajar light illuminated. Left side wheel bearing shot and the right side was going bad. Rear brakes shot.
Suspension
62 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud noise coming from under the front end. Dealer inspected vehicle several times, but could no duplicate or correct the problem.
Consumer left front tire blewout and shredded causing consumer to replace tire with spare. The tire blewout prior to the consumer receiving the recall notice. The air bag light and door ajar light illuminated. Left side wheel bearing shot and the right side was going bad. Rear brakes shot.
Air bags
62 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Consumer was driving at approximately 60 MPH and the air bags deployed inadvertently. There was no accident. Vehicle did not make contact with anything.
Consumer left front tire blewout and shredded causing consumer to replace tire with spare. The tire blewout prior to the consumer receiving the recall notice. The air bag light and door ajar light illuminated. Left side wheel bearing shot and the right side was going bad. Rear brakes shot.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Ford Explorer recalls
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Seats: recliner
Risk: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.
Speed control: cables
Risk: The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0l sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: Operating the vehicle above the maximum speed rating could lead to a tire failure which at these speeds could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with the 3.27 or 3.55 axle ration. The subject vehicles have a powertrain control module that could allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed. At these extreme speeds, the vehicle could be capable of exceeding the speed rating of the tire.
Seat belts
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. Owner notification began october 26, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Air bags: side/window
Risk: Inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will replace the side crash sensors with a revised design that will reduce the likelihood of an unexpected side air bag deployment.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: 4-door sport utility vehicles equipped with side air bags. The subject vehicles have a revised level side crash sensor that could deploy the side air bag if the ignition key is in the "run" position and the seatbelt webbing is forcibly extracted from a locked retractor with a jerking motion.
Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers
Risk: An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with 4.0l engines and all-time 4-wheel drive (a4wd) powertrains. The generic electronic module (gem) could experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the gem controlled electronic functions (e.g., front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4x4 system, etc.) could not be turned on or, in some cases if the function is on, could not be turned off.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Front seat back recliner attachment
Summary
By letter dated august 4, 2003, ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03v281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 ford explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a bolt between the upper seat recliner attachment and the seat back frame may fracture.ford will replace the bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame on the driver side seat.based on ford's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.
Seat belt webbing
Summary
Odi opened pe00-044investigation on november 3, 2000, based on a report regarding the death of the occupant of the right front seat in a 2000 model year ford explorer xls involved in a roll-over crash.it is alleged that the webbing of the buckle portion of the seat belt assembly failed during the crash.the occupant was partially ejected from the vehicle, thereby sustaining fatal injuries.this investigation has been opened for further study.
Seat belt webbing
Summary
Odi opened this investigation on november 3, 2000, based on a report regarding the death of the occupant of the right front seat in a 2000 model year ford explorer xls involved in a roll-over crash.it is alleged that the webbing of the buckle portion of the seat belt assembly failed during the crash.the occupant was partially ejected from the vehicle, thereby sustaining fatal injuries.this investigation has been upgraded for further study.
Questions about the 2000 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (227 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); transmission (133 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles); speed control (113 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Explorer have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 13, 2009 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 11th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 952 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.